WASHINGTON — Senate leaders pledged on Wednesday to take swift action on legislation imposing more stringent sanctions on North Korea for willfully violating international law by pushing ahead with its nuclear weapons program.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the Senate has an opportunity to hold Pyongyang accountable for its growing aggression. His Democratic counterpart, Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, said, "there is perhaps no nation on this planet more dedicated to fear and intimidation than North Korea."
The bill targets North Korea's ability to access the money it needs for developing miniaturized nuclear warheads and the long-range missiles to deliver them, according to the legislation's backers.
The legislation comes in the wake of Pyongyang's recent satellite launch and technical advances that U.S. intelligence agencies said the reclusive Asian nation is making in its nuclear weapons program.
The House overwhelmingly approved a similar measure last month and there is strong bipartisan support in the Senate for the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act.
The Senate bill was crafted by Sens. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Cory Gardner, R-Colo.
GOP senators and presidential candidates Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida will return to Washington from campaigning to vote on the bill later in the day.
See Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.